Freedom's Run MarathonOctober 5, 20195:49:54
Temp: mid-40s to mid 60sWhat I wore:hat, tank top, a Skirt Sports Cascade Skirt, compression socks, and Altra Kayenta
I ran this race as a training run for the Marine Corps Marathon 50k. I was warned ahead of time that the second half was crazy hilly, but I wasn't worried because I had zero time goals. Spoiler: I should have been worried.
I decided to "sleep" in my own bed the night before, so I got up super early and made the drive out to Harpers Ferry. I got there in record time and picked up my bib and shirt. I then hung out in my car - right next to the start line! I literally put my "throw away" sweatshirt back in my car as the gun went off.
The first part of the course … [Read more...]

Running the Marine Corps Marathon is on many people's bucket list. And once you've run it once, it grabs you by the heart strings and you want to run it again. (Even if you claim you don't. Not that I'd know anything about that.) But getting into the race requires a little bit of luck.
In recent years, in addition to the other options, MCM has offered a rush registration. This is a 20 minute window to register that will allow up to 7,000 runners to register before the lottery opens. It starts at noon - usually on a day in mid-march. Here's how the process goes:
Set an alarm on your phone so you don't forget. Ok, maybe set 2 or 3. Actual number dependent on your level of OCD.
Dress in your lucky MCM registering clothes. If … [Read more...]

I am currently 14 weeks out from my 5th Marine Corps Marathon. I've done Hal Higdon's training plan twice and attempted Hansons training plan twice. I say attempted because it's a really hard plan and I've never been able to hit all of the mileage at all the right paces. Last year was closer than the previous year and I went into the race feeling strong and ready and planning to gun for a PR.
And completely fell apart at mile 16. I know some of that was the ridiculous heat and some was poor fueling choices on my part, but the race felt hard from the first step. And it never improved. The first mistake I made was not admitting it was not my day and slowing down after mile 2 or 3 or 4 or... (Mile 1 might lie, but you'd think I'd listen … [Read more...]

It's almost that time of year again. Time to start sorting out my registration for the Marine Corps Marathon. Do I try to get online and sign up for 17.75? And then run one of the hardest races in the area for the pleasure of handing over my credit card to pay for my guaranteed entry? Or do I take my chances and enter the lottery? Or is it time to give back and fundraise for a worthy cause (there are so many, I'm not sure who I'd even pick).
Regardless of what method I decide to use to enter the Marine Corps Marathon, one thing is certain: I will be running it again this year.
I didn't mean to fall in love with the Marine Corps Marathon. I truly believed I would be one and done. Even after I returned to the world of marathoning, I … [Read more...]

It's the last Friday of the month, so it's time to runfess the sins of October. Since the Marine Corps Marathon is fresh in my mind, all of my runfessions are related to that (or at least to the marathon distance).
I runfess that within hours of finishing the marathon, I was considering running another one as a redemption race. I know I can do better than that under different conditions. Luckily, I very quickly realized that "Nah, I'm good" and signed up for Rehoboth Beach as a half marathon.
I runfess that at the end of the race, I realized I'd done the whole thing on about half a gu, multiple half cups of Gatorade, and a mini Coke. No wonder I was dragging from about the halfway point. I run most of my half marathons without … [Read more...]

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you already know that time goals are not my thing. I run because I need to run, so anything that takes away the enjoyment of running is something I don't do. Speed work is not my jam and tempo runs kind of suck. You also won't find me out there running for 4 hours on a training run (unless that training run happens to be a race).
So my goals don't generally focus on pace. I run to finish. To have fun. To see my friends. To do a certain number of states in a row. But to actually hit a number on the clock? Nah, that hasn't been a huge priority in a while.
But (you knew that was coming, right?) this year, I have some goals for the Marine Corps Marathon. I know I can finish (this … [Read more...]

For today's Friday Five, the topic is running/fitness fuel. I tend to train up to about 10 miles without fuel. In fact, often, I haven't eaten since about 7pm the night before a pre-noon run. But once I start going longer than 10 miles, my strategy changes. Since I'm about to run my first longer than 10 mile run (15 miles, eek!), this topic has been on my mind anyways. I have to confess that I don't have any idea what I'll take with me on the 15 miles, but I do know my marathon plan.
How I Fuel a Marathon
Pre-Race
Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich - This is my go to for any long race. It's cheap, extremely portable, and tastes good. Even better, I find that it's easy to digest, sits well in my stomach, and keeps me fueled for lots of … [Read more...]

Marine Corps Marathon 2016
October 30, 2016
4:55:10
Temp: Low 60s and slightly overcast at the start, low 80s at the finish
What I wore: hat, MRTT MCM tank, Skirt Sports Happy Girl Skirt(this is an affiliate link), Crazy Compression socks, , and Altra Running One 2.5 (affiliate link). I carried a handheld water bottle, one GUs, a cut up rice krispy treat, and an extra nuun tablet. (Oh, and my metro card in case I decided that I needed to DNF.)
As I mentioned many times over the last few weeks, I was undertrained for the Marine Corps Marathon 2016 race, so my plan was to have as much fun as I could. I totally succeeded in my plan, but in a very different way than I thought I would.
Marine Corps Marathon 2016 Pre-Race
I was more … [Read more...]

... actually giving a damn about training.
There. I said it. I didn't train well (or at all) for MCM because my heart just wasn't in it. This will be my 6th marathon and my 3rd MCM. I know how to train for a marathon. I even know how to train for a marathon through the Virginia summer. In fact, not only do I know HOW to do it, I've actually done it. Twice.
So, let's talk about the most challenging thing about running for me right now. That's the topic of today's Tuesdays on the Run. Not that you'd know that because I totally didn't put the month of September on the linkup page. Sorry. Apparently I'm all around unmotivated right now.
And there it is folks - my challenge with running, with life, with my weight is my lack of … [Read more...]

Back in February, I totally succumbed to FOMO. I jumped online when the MCM 17.75 registration opened and secured my spot to run the "race to register." Even as I as registering, I was all "I'm going to give away the code. I don't want to run the Marine Corps Marathon again."
Somehow, I got confused and signed up for MCM. OK, maybe I wasn't confused, I just had selective amnesia. You know how you forget how hard childbirth was as soon as they hand you the baby? Marathons are JUST like that. And in my defense, I love the Marine Corps Marathon. It's a great race with amazing support and a wonderful course. I would happily run it every year.
If it was in the spring.
This is how I want to look when I'm training...
Not like … [Read more...]

I was provided the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion in this sponsored post.
Earlier this spring, I was fortunate to receive a new NordicTrack Commercial 1750 treadmill. I had been without a treadmill for a couple of months and was absolutely ready to get a new one. I had been doing a bunch of research and this treadmill was definitely in the top choices in the price range I was considering. So, when I was offered this one, I jumped at the opportunity.
I’ve been running on the NordicTrack Commercial treadmill (as has Beer Geek) now for a few months. There was a bit of a learning curve at first to figure out all of the features, but now we are best friends (ok, I'm still learning all the bells … [Read more...]

I don't know how people commute to work. I drove an hour plus each way on Monday night for a work event and I'm TIRED! I mean, I used to commute about an hour, but most of that was on the metro and somehow that's easier than driving. So apologies if this post is a bit loopy (or as goofy as the title LOL).
Anyways, it's Tuesdays on the Run again and today's topic is "your favorite medal". I have kind of a lot of medals (with 46 half marathons and 5 full marathons under my belt, one would expect that.) Even so, there are a few that I love.
You know one of those is MCM (ok, maybe 2). I'm kind of excited to add a third one this year...
And the Mainly Marathon medals that just keep getting longer... 5,5,6 and now 7 in … [Read more...]

Who is MCM Mama?
A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath.

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A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath. Read More…

Here we are, a crazy number of days into Virginia’s Stay at Home order. Today, the Northern Virginia area began Phase 1, which means more things will be open at reduced capacity and with masks required in establishments. To be honest, it’s not really going to change my behavior (we are super careful), including that […]